Author's Note: Sorry it's been a while. Back at it now. The song featured here is a parody of "A Better Way to be Bad" from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Any and all comments are welcome.
As snow began to fall, the children quickly made shelter at a nearby cave. Ezran strained to stay awake even though he had to sleep for his stuffy sinuses. Callum was by the fair alongside a dimming egg. He was drawing a sketch of his and Ezran's mother in his book. When Rayla returned, she gave moonberries to her friends and gave Ezran special berries to help clear his sinuses.
"It's even dimmer than when I left." Rayla said observing the dragon egg.
"In the morning, we'll find help." Callum said. "It's too bad Genie can't just make it better."
"Yeah. I guess it's not inconvenient for him to be in his lamp to avoid the cold." Rayla agreed.
"Listen, Rayla, there's something I want to talk to you about." Callum said. "It's about what you said at the lake." Rayla's eyes widened with worry. She had hoped that she wasn't about to finish the sad news about King Harrow. "About this woman… Mirage."
Rayla sighed in relief silently. "Yes. I believe she is sending monsters to destroy the dragon egg."
"Why? Who is she?"
"A powerful sorceress with enough magic power to rival even the mightiest of mages. And she uses that power to bring senseless destruction, chaos, and war wherever she pleased. The dragons appropriately named her evil incarnate and sent her to live in exile in another plane of reality. Although, that's not stopping her from enacting some manner of mischief such as creating monsters to attack the humans, elves, and dragons."
"Why would she do any of that?" Callum asked.
"I don't know. I only heard what she did, and none of them are good. Before I left with the other Moonshadow elves to Katolis, Runaan had feared for her return now that the Dragon King has been slain. And now, it seems his fears are accurate. If she destroys the dragon egg, the world will be plunged into war, and that's exactly what Mirage wants."
"Well, we won't let her." Callum said. "Whatever plague or monster she sends our way, we'll keep the egg alive no matter what."
"I hope so," Rayla said, "Because of we don't find a way to help the egg, Mirage will never have to threaten us again."
As the snow died down the next morning, the three kids carried the egg all the way up the hill. On top, they found a small village at the base of a dark mountain. Callum was so entranced by it, he didn't notice when his hand brushed against the lamp in his pocket.
The Genie popped out dressed as a fisherman with a harpoon gun. He battled a large, white whale that came out with him.
"Genie!" Rayla shouted.
Genie and the whale stopped their fighting and observed the area. The whale then spoke glumly. "Oh, we never get to have any fun."
"Cool it. I'll see you at recess" Genie said before letting the whale back into his lamp. He changed back into his ordinary blue form. "So what's up?"
"We need to save this egg." Callum said. "Hopefully, we can find answers in that town down there. Do you think you can use your magic to make Rayla look human?"
"I can, but are you sure that's what you want? I mean, you've only got five wishes left in total."
"Then we can't waste them." Rayla said. "We'll use the wishes for when we really need them."
"But what do we do about you?" Callum asked. "You need a disguise."
"Not to worry." Rayla said. She took a blanket from Callum's bag and wrapped it around her like a hood. "Prepare to meet… human Rayla!"
Callum, Ezran, and Genie just stared blankly. Even Bait was indifferent.
"You really think that's going to work?" Callum asked.
"Just watch as I do my perfect human impression." Rayla said. Her accent then changed to a high-pitched, nasal one. "Greetings, fellow humans. Human fellows. I sure do like hanging out with other humans and talking about things like money and starting wars."
"That's pretty good." Ezran commented.
"I think she's acting a little too political." Genie said.
"Totally, my good human friend." Rayla continued. "High four!"
"I'm in!" Genie said giving her a clap with his own four-fingered hand.
"Uh… can you impersonate a fifth finger?" Callum asked.
"Hmm. I need some kind of hand disguise." Rayla said before eyeing a snowman with a carrot nose and gloves worn over its stick hands. "Look! Snow elf!
"Actually, it's a snowman." Ezran corrected.
Rayla removed the gloves and placed them on her hands. Only one finger on the glove was empty and bent in a strange way.
"Just don't shake hands with anyone." Callum said.
"Or pinkie swears." Genie said.
"What about you, Genie?" Ezran asked. "Humans wouldn't want to see a big, blue man."
"Hmm." Genie pondered. "I got it!" He snapped his fingers and shrank down to five and a half feet and changed his skin from blue to brown. He had on a blue set of clothes and a blue turban over his head. "How do I look?"
"Pretty normal, actually." Callum said.
"Thanks. I thought the Will Smith look would work great for me." Genie said.
The group began to walk to the village, but before she followed, Rayla grabbed the snowman's carrot nose, snapped it in half, and stuck them in its head above where the ears should be. "Snow elf."
The group headed to the center of town trying not to draw too much attention. Eventually, they came across a large crowd which surrounded a slender, armored man talking loudly
"I defended the border against all manner of horrors and monstrosities, things you can't even imagine! There's nothing I, Tristan, fear now! In fact, I wager I could defeat any challenger here with nothing but my dagger! Anyone dare to challenge me?"
Someone accepted his challenge, an enormous man who held our what he said wasn't even his biggest sword. Tristan smirked and pulled out his blade, which was only a few inches long and glowed fiery orange as though it was freshly heated in a forge. The crowd started placing their bets while Rayla took a close look at the dagger.
"Is that what I think it is?" Genie asked.
"Oh, yeah." Rayla said. "Looks like this Tristan fellow isn't all talk after all."
"Why?" Callum asked. "What are you looking at?"
"His dagger." Rayla answered. "Just watch."
The battle began between Tristan and his giant opponent, and it just as quickly ended when Tristan swung his hot dagger. With one slice, the blade on the hulk's sword was nearly cut completely off. Tristan sheathed his blade and collected his winnings from everyone who bet against him.
"What was that?" Callum asked.
"It's a Sunforge blade." Rayla replied.
"Whoa! I can't believe I just saw a real Sunforge blade." Ezran said. "What's a Sunforge blade?"
"In Xadia, Sunfire elves can make magic weapons that stay as hot as the moment they're forged for hundreds of years." Rayla explained. "The sheath he keeps it in is inscribed with special runes to protect him from the heat. Otherwise…
"His pants would be on fire?" Ezran guessed.
"Yeah. His legs too."
"Just don't use it as a letter opener." Genie said. "Let's just say I never got to read my last birthday card."
Callum's eyes widened. "Rayla, if that blade can cut through a steel sword, would you say it can cut through pretty much anything?"
"Not just pretty much. It can cut through anything." Rayla said right before her eyes lit up. "My wrist binding!"
"Does that count?" Ezran asked looking at Genie.
"Worth a shot." Genie said.
"All right." Callum said. "Rayla, you have to go get that dagger. Ezran, Genie and I will find help for the egg. Then, we'll meet at the fountain."
Soren paced back and forth in front of the Banther Lodge. After his dogs failed to find the princes, he, Claudia, and Iago were at a dead end. Iago sat at the horse's saddle eating a wingful of berries.
"So what now, geniuses?" Iago asked.
"I don't know." Soren said. "Every minute we waste, the step-prince and the crown runt are getting further away."
"Tell me something I don't know." Iago stated.
"Could you two please be quiet?" Claudia asked placing her fingers to the sides of her head. "I know a tracking spell that could locate them, but first, I need something from the princes."
"We have the step-prince's training shirt." Soren said.
"That's not enough." Claudia said. "I need something more personal than a shirt."
"I'm not searching for any royal boxers." Iago said.
"Ew, gross." Claudia exclaimed. "I mean like spit or toenails."
"We don't have time to search the whole lodge for toenails, Claudia." Soren huffed. "We have to figure this out. If I fail, I don't know what Dad will do to me. And I'm already failing at step one, never mind…"
"Never mind what?" Claudia asked.
"It's Soren we're talking about." Iago said. "The word 'mind' doesn't apply to him."
"I heard that!" Soren called out. Just then, something caught his eye. He approached a tree and found a strand of silver, braided hair that once belonged to Rayla. "Hold on. You said you needed something like spit and toenails. Would elf hair work?"
"Perfect!" Claudia cheered caressing the braid. "We'll find Callum and Ezran wherever we find that vile, bloodthirsty elven assassin… Cute braid, though. Just need one thing to make sure this spell works. Iago, I'm going to need your help."
"With what?" Iago asked. He then immediately flew upward in surprise as Claudia reached out for him. "Hey, what's the big idea?"
"I just need a few of your tail feathers." Claudia said.
"No way! Not anymore! Not again!" Iago shouted.
"What's the big deal?" Claudia asked. "Me and Dad take bits of you for our spells all the time."
"Yeah, but the last time was supposed to be the last!" Iago shouted. "Your dad said so! He told me that if I help you two bozos save the princes, then I won't be used for any dark magic mojo again!"
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Soren asked.
"It's like being cut for a few drops of blood, except I have to go through that every time these mages want to strengthen their practices!" Iago explained. "Apparently, bits of a special animal, like say a talking bird, is a good way to boost dark magic! I CAN'T HELP IT IF I'M SMARTER THAN THE REST OF NATURE!"
"Look, I understand. Really, I do." Claudia said. "But this is for a good cause. Just until we get the princes back to Katolis."
"What part of 'no' didn't you get?" Iago asked.
Claudia sighed. She felt like she needed Iago's consent, so she decided to persuade him in a special way… with song.
Claudia:
I've got a plan
Just try to understand
The future of Katolis is up to us
It's not tragic
Just some dark magic
And it needs you to give us your trust
Iago:
Oh, please
Listen to yourself
You're asking me to help
By inflicting myself with bodily harm
Soren:
Come on. Be nice
It's not that big a price
I mean, it's not like you're losing an arm
Claudia:
We've got to cast a spell to save the day
Iago:
Why must I help cast a spell to save the day
Claudia:
Just a few feathers
Iago:
That's what you always say
Claudia:
Just a sample or two
That's all we have to do
If we're gonna cast a spell to save the day
The princes are deep
In the evil elf's keep
Soren:
When we find her, I'll show her the end of my sword
Claudia:
But to make it
You're gonna have to take it
Iago:
With an impossible price for me to afford
Claudia:
My friend, we've got to cast a spell to save the day
Iago:
You don't need to cast a spell to save the day
Claudia:
Just a few feathers
That's all you have to pay
Soren:
It's not really a crime
You do this all the time
Claudia:
Now, we must cast a spell to save the day
The princes are in danger
They must be in great pain
The elves are all monsters
The elves are our bane
In order to save our friends
We must prepare for the worst
SO LET"S UTILIZE WHAT WE GOT
AND TAKE THEM DOWN FIIIIIIIRST
Iago:
ALL RIGHT! I'll help you cast a spell to save the day
Soren:
We find them, do our job, then the kingdom will go "yay"
Claudia:
Yeah. Don't worry one thing
Just lend me your wing
Then, we'll start to cast a spell to save the day
Finally with Iago's permission, Claudia plucked the tail feathers from his behind and put them in the same bag where she stored Rayla's hair.
Iago:
OW! THIS HAD BETTER WORK! CAST A SPELL TO SAVE THE DAY
Claudia:
I'LL SHINE OUR PATH FORWARD LIKE A GLOWING SUN RAY
Soren:
YEAH! LET'S GET THIS STARTED
Iago:
BEFORE I'M DEARLY DEPARTEEEEEEEEED
Everyone:
WE'LL CAST A SPELL TO SAVE THE DAY
Iago:
THIS BETTER GO OKAY
Soren:
WE'VE GOT AN ELF TO SLAY
Claudia:
THEN, XADIA WILL PAY
Everyone:
AFTER WE CAST A SPELL TO SAVE THE DAAAAAAAAAY
The princes and Genie walked through the streets until something caught their eyes, a sign with the shapes of a cat and a dog carged with a hart between them.
"Do you think this is some kind of animal doctor?" Ezran asked.
"Either that or a dating service for pets." Genie said.
"That is a good idea." Ezran said.
They entered the room and stepped inside. There were stalls occupied by farm animals with all sorts of ailments. They approached an older man who was tending to the rib cage of a whinnying horse.
"Is she okay?" Ezran asked. "She seems agitated."
The older man turned to Ezran and sighed. "She sure is. This one ran away from the Cursed Caldera. Whatever she saw, she's lucky it only scared her. Won't make that mistake again. So what can I do for you three?" He gasped as she saw Bait. "I'm so sorry. There's nothing I can do for the poor creature."
Bait scowled at that comment, but Genie just snickered.
"Not him, doc." Genie said. "We have a bit of a problem involving…"
The three suddenly realized that they needed a story. They couldn't just tell the doctor they had a dragon egg with them.
"Involving what?" the doctor asked.
"Uh… Our friend, Jofus. It's a real name." Callum lied badly. "He has an egg, an animal egg. He's been taking really good care of it. Keeping it warm and safe, wrapped in blankets… Except one time he dropped it into an ice lake for several minutes."
"What?" the doctor asked. "That sounds bad."
"We're worried it's hurt." Callum continued. "The egg is getting colder and it doesn't glow like it used to."
"A glowing egg?" the doctor asked. Genie smacked Callum on the head for his slip of the tongue. "Look, I can tell you have a real problem. I want to help, but I won't be able to unless you tell me what's really going on. I promise you, I'm not going to get you in trouble."
The boys and the genie exchanged reluctant looks, but they all knew the doctor was right. Slowly, Callum pulled out his bag and revealed the egg inside. The sight of it made the doctor gasp.
"It's a dragon egg, isn't it?" he asked.
"Good guess, doc." Genie said.
"Can you help him?" Ezran asked.
The doctor gently placed his ear at the egg. "Well, I do hear a heartbeat. But it's faint and slow. I'm afraid the egg is dying. I don't know what I can do to save it. I'm so sorry."
A stroke of despair hit the three.
"No. There has to be something you can do. Anything." Ezran begged.
The doctor thought for a moment. "Wait." He said. "I'm hesitant to tell you this, because it might be incredibly dangerous, but a dragon egg is so special, it might be worth the risk. There was a miracle that happened a few years ago."
"A miracle?" Ezran repeated.
"But it happened on the Cursed Caldera." The doctor said. "There's someone I think you should meet."
"Who?" Genie asked.
"Hi. I'm Ellis." Introduced the little girl in heavy winter clothes. She already invited Callum, Ezran, and Genie into her home where she also had a very big wolf with her. "And this is Ava. How can I help you?"
"Hi. I'm Callum, and this is Ezran and Genie."
"Sup!" Genie greeted. "We heard you might be something about a miracle healer?"
"Oh, there was a miracle all right." Ellis said. "I don't know really understand what happened, but without it, Ava would be dead."
"We need to know whatever we can." Ezran said. "So what happened."
Ellis sat next to Ava to tell her story.
"It happened two years ago. I found Ava in the woods when she was a cute little cub. She was trapped in a hunter's trap and her front paw was crushed. After I saved her, I took her to the animal doctor. The only way to save her was to have the leg removed. When the operation was successful, I took her to my home to heal. But Ava wasn't welcome by my father. He said there was only suffering in her future. He said… he wanted to put her down. I knew Ava would become strong and healthy if given the chance, so I did the only thing I could. I scooped her up and carried her to the only place we couldn't be found, the Cursed Caldera."
"What's the Cursed Caldera?" Callum asked.
"It's the mountain where only monsters find their refuge." Ellis said. "A blizzard surrounded us and I saw several monstrous eyes from behind the winds. The higher we climbed, the more terrifying things were, but we kept on going. We found an old tree with a hollow trunk and huddled inside. That's when she appeared."
"Who?" Ezran asked.
"To this day, I do not know. I only saw her silhouette against her full moon. But she cradled Ava in her arms and this white light shined from her hands. When it finally dimmed, Ava had regained her lost leg."
"Never heard of something like that other than a wish." Genie said. "If this miracle healer can save a cub's missing paw…"
"Maybe she can save a dragon egg!" Ezran finished.
"Wait, a what?" Ellis asked.
"Uh…" Callum started, "He said… 'Maybe she can shave a wagon leg'."
Genie cleared his throat before leaning in. "I've been in a lamp for what feels like a lifetime, and I'd take that over seeing this any day."
"Thanks for the tip, Ellis! We'll see you later!" Ezran said before leaving with his brother and friend.
Soren, Claudia, and Iago stopped at the side of a cliff. They got off of their horses and Claudia placed her hand on the wall scoping over it.
"What are we doing here?" Soren asked.
"I just need one more ingredient to work my spell." Claudia said.
"What, plucking my butt wasn't the end of it?" Iago asked.
"Stop complaining. It'll grow back. And once we return to Katolis, you won't have to worry about that ever again." Claudia said. Suddenly, her hand slipped into an open space hidden behind vines. "Here we are. Follow me." She breathed in a heavy breath and slipped through the open crack. Iago followed with Soren behind, though the guard had a hard time squeezing through.
"If only… I weren't… so muscular." Soren strained.
"Try eating less bread." Iago jabbed.
Eventually, in the dark cavern, the trio came across a swarm of twinkling, floating things that shimmered like glowing balls in the night.
"What are they?" Soren asked.
"They're called wisps." Claudia said pulling out a glass jar. She gently waved her hand motioning a few of the wisps to be collected in the jar like fireflies. "There. That should be it."
"Really?" Soren asked.
"Wait for it." Iago said.
"All we need to do now is to climb top of the highest mountain of Katolis." Claudia said.
"There it is." Iago sighed.
"Perfect." Soren frowned.
Back at the village, Callum, Ezran, Genie, and Bait waited at the fountain at the town square. Rayla ran back to them with her hood on.
"Did you find the knife guy?" Callum asked.
"Yes, but his dagger didn't work." Rayla said. "Nothing appears to break this. Not a Sunforge blade. Not a genie wish."
"Hey, I did my best." Genie said. "All I'm saying is if you need that broken, you'll need something even more powerful than me."
"Good to know, but I don't know how much longer I have left." Rayla said. "Any luck on your end? Did anything good happen to the egg?"
"Yes and no." Callum replied. "Well, no. Not yet, but maybe. So yes, in a way."
"That's averaging about to around a maybe-minus." Rayla said.
"That about sums it up." Genie said.
"We learned about a miracle healer." Ezran said. "Someone who might be able to help the egg. And maybe help your hand too."
"Really?" Rayla asked enthusiastically. "Where?"
"Well, that's the hard part." Callum said facing the dark mountain towering the village. "The healer lives up there, at the Cursed Caldera."
Rayla hung her head. "Please, tell me the mountain's named that because it was discovered by the great explorer, Sir Phinneas Kirst."
"Good try, but no." Callum said. "It's actually full of monsters."
Rayla sighed. "Odds are, we might run into one of Mirage's abominations there."
"Well, we don't have a choice." Ezran said. "It's worth a shot."
"There she is!" yelled a voice from afar. Tristan appeared with an angry mob behind him. He pointed at Rayla. "There's the elf!" He lead them all to chase the party.
"Right. I forgot about the other bad news." Rayla said. "Let's move!"
Genie instantly turned into a big, blue hamburger with legs. He turn, spun his legs and ran cartoon-style. "THIS BURGER'S TO GO!"
The party ran up the trail that leads from the village and toward the Cursed Caldera. Once they were far enough, the villagers stopped their chase.
Through a magical window, Mirage sat in her stone throne watching the events unravel. She sneered through her fangs as she observed their destination.
"So those children and that accursed genie is heading to the peak of the mountain, where she is?" she hissed. "As soon as they get there, my magic won't be able to reach them. It's time for another little trick."
Mirage raised her closed hand and slowly opened it revealing a leech-like creature. She radiated it with a black aura before throwing it through the portal. It landed in a dead forest which is just in the party's route.